A shopkeeper in Glasgow has reported a toddler to police after CCTV allegedly showed the girl, believed to be around three years old, stuffing about five items down her pyjama bottoms during a visit to the store.
Shamly Sud, who owns the shop, said she was 'gobsmacked' when she reviewed the footage. She accused the girl's parent and sibling of creating 'a distraction' while the child moved with her back to the camera.
High value items taken to the till
The toddler allegedly put down some items of 'high value American food products' before returning to pick them up and take them to the till. Shamly said the incident was captured on CCTV and later reported to the police.
Shamly alleged it was 'clear' the girl had been 'given instructions' by her mum. She said: 'We found some items missing and when we looked back on camera we were shocked to see it was a young child.'
Shopkeeper speaks out
Shamly, 55, owns 11 stores and has been working full-time in retail since 2011. She said crime in the industry was the worst it had ever been, adding that all incidents are reported to the police but that not enough is being done.
'This is not the child at fault here. Any child is not born a thief,' she said. 'They are taught to do that. It is purely on the mother.' She estimated the mother to be in her mid-20s.
Shamly added that she has received backlash since sharing the footage, but thinks it is important for her to share the message. She said: 'Everyone needs to focus on just how serious this all is. This is by far the worst it has ever been and this is the most shocking thing I've ever witnessed.'
Charity responds
Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First, Scotland's national children's charity, said: 'We must not forget that children are the victims. The criminals are the adults who prey on their vulnerability, using fear and control to keep children trapped and silent.'
'The scars of exploitation like this can be profound and lifelong, deeply affecting a child's mental health, education and future. Child victims of exploitation need our compassion, understanding, protection and specialist support to recover – not blame.'
The Scottish Government is backing the Fearless campaign, a bid by Crimestoppers to encourage young people to report information around the exploitation of children and to help people get support. Dr Pete Cheema OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Grocers Federation, said: 'Reports of young children being used to shoplift are deeply concerning, raising alarming questions about the exploitation of vulnerable children by organised criminal groups.'
Metro has contacted Police Scotland for comment.
